Attention+Deficit+Hyperactivity+Disorder

Katrina **Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder**

**What is it?** Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a pro  blem with inactivity or over-activeness in the mind.

**Signs and Symptoms**
 * There are three main symptoms in children who have ADHD.
 * **Inattention **
 * Being easily distracted
 * has a tendency to daydream
 * loses things frequently
 * forgetful about daily activities
 * doesn't follow directions
 * **Hyperactivity **
 * constantly squirming and fidgeting while sitting
 * doesn't stay seated when asked to
 * talks excessively
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">restlessness, constantly moving, running, etc.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Impulsivity **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Has trouble waiting for their turn to do something
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">interrupts others
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">yells out answers to questions before the questions are completed
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Some symptoms of ADHD in adults
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">mood swings
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">anxiety
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">low self-esteem
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">depression
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">procrastination
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">problems in relationships



<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">** What causes ADHD? ** <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">No one is exactly sure what the causes of ADHD are, but there are many theories as to what might cause ADHD.
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Heredity **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Children may inherit ADHD from their parents
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Chemical Imbalance **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">A chemical imbalance of brain chemicals that transmit nerve impulses
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Brain Changes **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Areas in the brain that control attention are less active than in those children who do not have ADHD
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Head Injuries **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Injuries such as concussions
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Other things that may contribute to ADHD: **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Poor nutrition
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Exposure to toxins
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Brain disorders
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Injuries to the brain

<span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Perception of the General Public** <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">A survey in Britain in 2007 showed that the public thought that ADHD was just a term that was used for kids with bad behavior.

<span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Treatments Available** <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">There is no cure for ADHD. Although medications can be prescribed from a doctor. Going to therapy also helps people who have ADHD.

<span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">**Links** <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">ADHD is also similar to ADD

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd?page=3 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002518/ http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/complete-index.shtml http://www.chadd.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Understanding
 * <span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;">Sources **